Driving an Uber in Sydney

From car and driver requirements to how much you could be making – it's all here.

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Driver and car requirements for all Uber types

There's very different earning potential for each of the Uber car types, and this is directly tied to the vehicle requirements for each. Here, we'll list the basic driver requirements for all Uber types, followed by a breakdown of each tier.

Minimum driver requirements for all Uber types

To become an Uber driver in Sydney, it's a minimum requirement that all applicants must:

Driver document checklist

Minimum vehicle requirements for each Uber type

Your vehicle must meet the following requirements to be considered for use with any Uber service. It's important to note that if your vehicle does not pass the minimum specifications for UberX, it will likely not pass for other Uber types.

All cars being driven for Uber in Sydney must:

Be in excellent working condition with no cosmetic damage

Have at least 4 doors

Have no more than 8 seats, including the driver's seat

Pass a vehicle inspection

Have current registration and CTP insurance in NSW

Have working windows and air conditioning

Feature no commercial branding

Uber type

Model year

Vehicle type

Seating

Insurance

Special requirements

Eligible models

UberX

10 years old or less (from current year)

4-door

4-7 passengers

Registered and CTP insured in NSW

No former taxis, government-branded or rebuilt vehicles or pre-2009 Ford Falcons

How much can I make as an Uber driver in Sydney?

How much you can earn as an Uber driver varies depending on a number of factors, including how many hours you work, which city you're driving in and your regular expenses like fuel and car maintenance.

Our previous calculation of Sydney Uber fares for riders was on the basis of an average 14-minute journey over 4 kilometres. The following table assumes you drive for similar conditions, work 6 hours a day, completing 24 trips per day, for 5 days of the week. We've also put in a 10% reservation from every trip to cover fuel and other costs – actual costs may be higher or lower.

Uber driver income calculator

For a more tailored earnings estimate, enter your income and vehicle expenses into the calculator below.

Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this calculator, the results should be used as an indication only. It doesn't take into account your financial circumstances and is neither a quote or guarantee of your income as an Uber partner driver.

UBER Driver

Drive with Uber

If you want the flexibility of being your own boss, you can sign up here as an Uber driver. Get started by clicking the green button.

Where to drive in Sydney

As an Uber driver with NSW-accreditation, you can drive 24/7 anywhere in NSW that Uber operates.

Sydney hotspots

These areas are popular among riders:

Weekday mornings. Eastern Suburbs, CBD, North Sydney, the Airport

Weekday evenings. CBD, Inner West, Lower North Shore

Weekends. Eastern Suburbs, CBD, the Rocks, Inner West

Events. Olympic Park, Moore Park, CBD

Peak trip times

There are certain times when Sydney Uber drivers are more in-demand, and being available during these busy periods could help you earn more.

Weekday mornings 5am – 9am

Weekday evenings 5pm – 8pm

Friday and Saturday til late

Sunday daytime

Sydney Airport (SYD) instructions for drivers

Routes to and from the domestic and international airports are popular. Make sure you read our comprehensive guide on picking up and dropping off Uber passengers at Sydney Airport.

Why take out rideshare insurance?

It just makes sense, really.

Want to keep your hard earned cash in your pocket? There are two main reasons why you should be considering rideshare insurance:

Your regular car insurance policy won't cover you for ridesharing.

If an insurer does decide to cover you for Uber driving, you'll only be protected if you work part-time. Essentially, you'll struggle to put food on the table.

But rideshare insurance fixes these problems.

Several insurers now offer a rideshare extension on their car insurance policies. Take out this cover and you'll still be covered if you drive your car as part of a ridesharing service. All that dosh will stay in your pocket.

Some insurers only offer a rideshare extension with their comprehensive car insurance policy, but others also offer it on third party fire and theft and third party property damage policies.

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To answer your question, your overseas licence can be considered in the “1 year full license” requirement of Uber.

Hope this was helpful. Don’t hesitate to message us again if you have more questions.

Drivers can only use a mobile phone while driving if it is secured in a commercially manufactured and designed mounting that is fixed to the vehicle and doesn’t obscure their view of the road. A ring alert flashes on screen of the mobile phone. The driver wears an earpiece and answers the phone via bluetooth, while keeping both hands on the steering wheel. Or, if a driver can operate it without touching any part of the phone, for example, by using bluetooth or voice activation.

Uber cars are required to have this kind of set up to assure their road safety. To know more about this, please check out this link.

Ride-sourcing services, through companies such as Uber, are providing ‘taxi travel’ under the GST law. The existing tax law applies and drivers are required to register for GST regardless of their turnover. Affected drivers must register for an Australian Business Number (ABN), GST, charge GST on the full fare, lodge activity statements and report the income in their tax returns.

Current drivers that don’t have an ABN and are not registered for GST can easily apply online at Australian Business Register.

Thanks for your question. As listed above, you need to have held have held a non-restricted licence (no P-platers) for at least 12 months plus meeting the other requirements in order to become an Uber driver. You might also find our definitive Uber guide on this page helpful.

Kindly note that one of the eligibility criteria to apply as an UBER driver in NSW is for you to have a full NSW driver’s licence, not overseas license. Your car may qualify as there are UBER types that allow for models that are 10 years old or less.

Uber, provides opportunities for everyone. Uber, will put you through interviews and will require you to pass the application process and pass the car evaluation. If you pass these tests then you will qualify as an Uber driver regardless of your previous records. Visit the nearest Uber HUB in your place to apply.

I have 2 cars, a Nissan X TRIAL 2002 AND a Mazda 3A04A 2006. They both get serviced regularly with the Nissan having a reconditioned engine and are both in great condition and comprehensively insured. No damage to either vehicle. Can I use these as a uber driver?

Thanks for your inquiry. Please note that we are not affiliated with Uber or any company we feature on our site and so we can only offer you general advice.

Unfortunately, the cars that you would like to use to drive an Uber should be 10 years old or less (from current year) or 6 years old or less for UberBLACK, UberLUX and UberSUV.

– Vehicles models from 2012 – 2016 must pass an Uber inspection before becoming an active uberX driver.
– Vehicles models from 2008 – 2011 and 2017 do not need to pass an Uber inspection, as this already happens during the annual registration renewal process.

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